Circuit interrupter



Oct. 22, 1929. c, AALBORG 1,732,801

. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Fned'March 23,1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES: I l 'INVENTOR TTORNEY I v (f/msfmn flu/burg. I I I BY c. AALBORG 1,732.801

- CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed March 25. 1921 z Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES:

Patented a. 22, 1929 CHRISTIAN AALIBOBG, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Application filed March 23,

My invention relates to circuit interrupters and particularly to containers for the fluid employed in extinguishing arcs that are formed between relatively movable contact members.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide means for breaking up. arcs or shieldingthe insulating lining and the walls of the tank from the burning action of the heat of 1 such arcs as well as to insulate the tank wall.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tank with an improved form of removable end closure, one portion of which may be semi-permanently attached to the tank wall and another portion of which may be normally detachable.

By means of this construction, the number of fastening means necessary to maintain a detachable closure member/in place against pressure from within the "tank is reduced to a minimum by reason of the comparatively small size of the normally removable portion of the cover. Y

Heretofore, it has been customary to make the end member of a circuit breaker tank of substantially a single piece and secure such end member to the wall of the tank by the number of bolts necessary to maintain it against pressure created within the tank. This necessitated the removal of a large number of fastening members when access to the interior of the tank was desired, or, if a small number were used, the factor ofsafety of the tank was reduced. One of the foregoing objects I accomplish by providing bafile members of a particular form, positioned to lie in the path of the arc flames, and which is-of suitable heat-resisting material.

The tank itself is provided with a two-part cover, one portion of which has an opening therethrou 'h and is semi-permanently attached to the main portion of the tank, and the other of which is detachably secured to the first-named portion, to close the opening. The opening that is closed by the latter named cover is a relatively small one, throu h which ins ection and minor repairs may e made wit out disassembling the, entire tank and the apparatus contained therein.

1921. Serial No. 454,828.

, 1 I Referring to the accompanyin drawings: Figure 1 is a side view, partia ly in elevation and partially in section, of a circuitbreaker tank embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is aside elevational view of the battle wall .employed by me, and J Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views, taken on the lines IVIV and V-,V respectively, of Fig. 3.

l The apparatus comprlses a tank 6 provid-' ed with an opening 7 through which oil or other insulating fluid may be introducedinto the tank, and with a valve opening 8 through which the tank may be drained. The tank is provided with an annular flange member!) at its upper edge and a cover member 10 that, p is securely bolted to this flange in the manner shown. A packing ring 11 of lead, cop

' per or other relatively soft material is provided toefi'ectively seal the interior of the tank against communication with theatmosphere. A second cover member 12 is provided for closing the opening near the center of the cover member 10 and is secured to such cover member 10 by a number of machine.- screws 13.

The cover member12 is provided with a depending flange portion 14 that co-operates with a packing member 15 and an annular depression 16 in the cover member 10 to seal the tank against communication with the 7 atmosphere through the opening 10. The packing member '15 may be of any suitable material.

A casing 17 is provided abovethe tank 6 anism (not shown). This operating mechanism acts througha lifting rod 18 and insulating bars 19 to move a bridging member 20 into and out of engagement with a air of stationary contact members 21 carrie on the lower ends of conductors 22, to complete the circuit through said conductors. The bridg ing member and the stationary contact members may be of any desired form, the particular form illustrated being similar to that disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 448,272, filed Feb. 26, 1921.

for housing certam of the operating mech- The tank 6, which is preferably of steel, is provided with insulating lining members 25 and 26 of micarta or similar material. These lining members may rest upon the hot- 5 ,tom of the tank or be supported in spaced relation thereto by means of blocks 27, as shown in Fig. 1. The lining member 26 is partially cut away at points adjacent to the ends of the bridging member 20, in order that a'heat deflecting and insulating member 28, that is provided with grooves 29 in its edges, may be supported thereby. The member 28 is of porcelain or any other suitable heat-resisting material and is provided with ribs 30 that serve to break up the flame of arcs that are directed thereagainst.

The relatively movable contact members are so formed that any arcs are directed toward those portions of the tank that are protected by the insulating member 28. The lining members 25 and 26 function in the usual manner to prevent short-circuiting throiigh the walls of the tank.

It will be noted that I provide an apparatus which effectively protects the walls of the tank and the lining therefor from the effects of heat resulting from arcs and, at the same time, thoroughly insulates it against short- ,circuiting. Furthermore, I provide a tank with a relatively large sealing member that need not ordinarily be disturbed-under nor-- mal conditions of use and, at the same time, provide means for convenient inspection and repairs of the apparatus within the tank.

It will be apparent that variousmodifications may be made in the apparatus without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the accompanying claims.

I claim as my invention 2-- 1. The combination-with a fluid-containing tank for circuit interrupters, of a lining member therefor that is cut away at portions of its circumference and a heat-resisting member inserted therein in the, path of arcs incident to the operation of the circuit interrupter.

2. The combination with a fluid contaim'ng tank for circuit interrupters, ar air of substantially coextensive lining mem ers, one of which is dis osed within the other, the inner lining mem er bein lying in the path o are flames and a heatres'isting member inserted therein.

cut away at portions tank for circuit interrupters, of a heat-resisting member provided with grooved edges, and a lining member that iscut away at those portions lying in the path oflarc flames, such edges being adapted to engage the grooved edges of the heat-resisting member and to supportsuch member in said path.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day of March, 1921.

' CHRISTIAN AALBORG.

3P'The combination'with a fluid-contain- I ing tank for circuit interrupters, of substantially coextensive lining members,

. one of which is dis osed within the other,

.the inner lining mem er being of flexible materlal and cut away at portions lying in the path of the arc flames, and having its edges 4. The combination with a fluid-containing surrounding the cut-out portion adapted to.

of a pair 

